NC Retirement Homes

55 Plus Communities in North Carolina's Best Small Towns

With a temperate climate in the east due to the Atlantic Ocean and
a mountainous climate in the western areas with temperatures rarely
rising above 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, North Carolina has
a lot of natural beauty that makes it a great place to consider for
people wanting to live in a small town. With technology, banking, health
care, and agriculture making up a good portion of the economy, North
Carolina has gone through rapid changes in demographics and living arrangements.
Most people now live in the major urban areas like Raleigh, Durham,
Charlotte, and Greensboro. However, there are still many small towns
that are attractive to live in that don't give up bigger city amenities
just to have peace and quiet.

Best Small Towns in North Carolina

Apex NC

Located just outside of the Lake Jordan Recreation Area, which has
beautiful campgrounds, abundant fishing, hiking trails, and picnic areas,
Apex is on the national register of historic places due to its history
as a turn-of-the-century railroad town. With Raleigh and big city benefits
only 20 minutes away, Apex can be one of the best places to retire
in North Carolina providing all the benefits of a small town(around 25,000 residents) with the cute streets and shops, with the proximity
of a big city with shows, universities, and high quality medical care.
With a government focused on keeping the small town feel alive in the
rapidly-growing Research Park Triangle area, Apex is a good choice for
people wanting to live in a small town without feeling isolated.

Asheville NC

Known for whitewater rafting, Asheville is full of natural beauty. During the fall, the forests that surround Asheville brighten up with color as the leaves change. In town, there are ample opportunities for sidewalk dining in cafes and in the summertime, there are multiple farmers markets to enjoy fresh produce and food goods. As the biggest “small town” in this article with a population of approximately 68,000 people, Asheville has recently been given lots of press as both a retirement and relocation destination. With a great climate and lots to do for everyone, Asheville is one of the best small towns to live in. Historically, Asheville has been home to the rich and famous as a health resort in the late 19th century. Home to the Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home, Asheville also has many historic museums that showcase this area’s large history as a resort to the rich, politicians (6 presidents have stayed at the Grove Park Inn Resortand Spa), and famous. Asheville is a great area for people who want history, natural beauty, along with modern amenities that only a world class “small town” can provide.

Buncombe County NC pop. 235,000
2340 above sea level.
Beautiful and scenic with a active downtown.
Education: The University of North Carolina at Asheville
Medical Center for region

Kannapolis NC

Kannapolis- with a storybook downtown area and lots of natural green
areas preserved to prevent urbansprawl, Kannapolis is a rapidly evolving
small town that has amenities that anyone wants and needs. Located a
half hour away from Charlotte, this area has become a biotechnology hub
while retaining its historic charm. In the last decade, millions have
been spent to increase the livability and economic sustainability of
this town. This town has obviously charmed some powerful people since
the Chicago White Sox have located a minor league team here with a brand new
stadium to boot. Kannapolis is known as a racing hub since the famous
NASCAR Earnhardt family is from there. Steeped in racing history, there’s
a NASCAR museum and a tribute to the late Dale Earnhardt Sr located in
town. Economically speaking, in 2005, the North Carolina Research Campus,
a brand new technology park co-sponsored by the owner of Dole Food, Duke
University, and The University of North Carolina system, was announced.
This will surely bring technology companies flocking to Kannapolis for
its high quality of life and proximity to Charlotte. With high tech companies
in town, this area will surely attract more cultural exhibits and classes
making it one of the best small towns for retirement.
Overall, North Carolina has changed tremendously in the 20th century with
most people now living in urban/suburban areas as opposed to rural areas.
With this change, many small towns have been pushed to the side with population
and job losses. Apex, Asheville, and Kannapolis have bucked this trend
with new economic opportunities while still keeping their cozy feel.
For anyone considering a North Carolina small
town to retire in Apex, Asheville, and Kannapolis are all solid
choices.

Brevard NC

In Transylvania County NC pop 31,000, Brevard is considered to be the
Land of waterfalls. Gold, fishing, outdoor recreation. This is a most
popular retirement spot. A charming town in the Blue Ridge Mountains
of North Carolina known for it's arts, music, the majestic mountains
and waterfalls. Brevard has a music center, playhouse, theatre and more.

Southern Pines-Pinehurst NC

The Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen areais home to many of the
finest NorthCarolina golf course. If you desire a gold retirementcommunity,
you will fsind not better.

Hendersonville NC

Located in Western part of NC and 20 miles from Asheville. Located
in a mountainous forested area. Mild mountain climate. A real hotspot
for retirees. We love the Main Street in Hendersonville NC.

Durham North Carolina

We love Durham NC. What an entegetic virbrant enviroment.. Very walkable
downtown Durham NC is a treat. Many walking trails and parks too. Very
active senior centers program in Durham and volunteer opportunities.
Durham
Retirement Communities.

Rutherford County
This is one very beautiful place. One of the clearest pure lakes nestled in the mountains in the small town of LakeLure. Where parts of the movie Dirty Dancing was filmed and where the 2006 HGTV Dream Home is located. Take a visit and you will be impressed. Lots to choose from since the financial mess of 2008.

Bristol

Lovely neighborhood in Raleigh, NC.

Boone

Heart of the high country. Commercial center for surrounding areas. Appalachian State University.

Blowing Rock

Lovely place to visit for tourist. Great small town with many quality restaurants.

Lake
Lure
Great small town retirement living on a lake in the mountains. Plently
of cabins and houses at great prices. This is where the lake sence from
the movie "Dirty Dancing" was filmed.

Washington, NC

City of approximately 10,000 residents, located in northeastern North Carolina on the beautiful Pamlico River in the inland coastal region of North Carolina at the intersection of US 17 and US 264, approximately 125 miles east of Raleigh.

Heritage
Wake Forest NC - 804 Heritage Lake Rd. Wake Forest, NC 27587 awarded
the title of 2012 Best of the Best Neighborhood and Heritage Club has
been awarded the title of 2012 Best of the Best Golf Course. This is
the second year in a row that these honors have been presented to both
the community and golf course.

Seven
Oaks Upscale Retirement Community Charlotte NC - Yaupon Rd Charlotte,
NC 28215 Tribute Homes was founded on the belief that your retirement
lifestyle of is full of extraordinary promise and potential.

Sun
City Carolina Lakes Charlotte SC - 5074 Grandview Drive, Fort Mill,
SC 29707 Sun City Carolina Lakes is located in Lancaster County, South
Carolina just 5 miles from the North Carolina border and only a short
distance from the Charlotte Metropolitan Area.